This popular, long-running Bay Area burger chain is coming to the heart of Modesto
Central Valley drivers traveling to the Bay Area know a couple things for almost certain. Expect delays around the Altamont. And if you get hungry for a burger along the way, stop at a Nation’s Giant Hamburgers.
The venerable East Bay burger chain has been serving up juicy meals and fresh-made pies for almost 70 years. For many, its large, easily recognizable road signs are considered a progress marker along the highway when traveling back and forth from the Bay.
Now, the regional chain is coming to Modesto with plans to open its newest location, its 30th overall, in the Stanislaus County city next year. The company has purchased the site of a former Wells Fargo bank branch on McHenry Avenue, just south of Floyd Avenue, to be its first Modesto restaurant.
Nation’s President and CEO Grant Power said renovation work on the site is expected to begin early next year. The Modesto location is part of the company’s long-term strategic plan and he said they hope to become a fixture in the Central Valley city.
“Modesto is a city I’ve always been drawn toward. We are thrilled we own that property,” Power said. “We are very, very excited to put down roots for the long, long term in Modesto.”
Burger chain renovating old Wells Fargo bank branch
Power said that means being deliberate about the planning and design for the existing building. Their architecture firm is drawing up preliminary plans for the remodel and renovation of the old, just under 5,000-square-foot former bank branch.
Patrick Marasco, Nation’s vice president of business development, said he expects a portion of the back of the building will be torn down to make room for some additional parking. But they want to keep the site’s unique design and character, which includes an angled high ceiling reminiscent of a ski chalet.
Marasco said the company hopes to complete its design plans by the end of summer and will work closely with the city’s planning department for approval. Once started, he estimates construction and renovation work will take about six months.
Nation’s has been steadily expanding past its Bay Area base over the years. The company opened its last new site, in North Natomas, in late May 2020 amid the pandemic. The company’s other Central Valley locations are in Stockton, Tracy and Citrus Heights.
The burger chain was actually started as a six-stool hot dog stand in San Pablo by company founder Russ Harvey in 1972. That location, at San Pablo Avenue and San Pablo Dam Road, is still part of the company’s roster, though the building has since been replaced and considerably enlarged.
Current CEO Grant Power is the son of Dale Power, a former employee of Harvey’s who started with the business doing maintenance and janitorial work in 1961 and went on to lead the company. The first officially named Nation’s Giant Hamburgers opened in Oakland’s Jack London Square in 1970. Harvey, now 97, has since retired from the company and still lives in the East Bay.
Nation’s menu includes burgers, breakfast, pies, more
The Modesto restaurant will be slightly larger than the average Nation’s restaurants, Marasco said. The company mixes up new, ground-up construction with renovation of existing buildings all with an eye toward long-term viability, Power said. He said that makes each location unique, while they all serve the same Nation’s menu which includes its signature hamburgers, made-fresh pies and all-day breakfasts.
The company still makes its pies every day at its El Cerrito bakery, cranking out some 3,000 to 5,000 pies daily. During holidays those numbers can nearly double, to around 9,000 pies a day.
Power said Modesto was the next obvious choice for expansion because of the number of residents who have reached out about bringing one to the city over the years, and his own personal affinity for the valley. He said he got to know the region while playing doubles tennis in high school and traveling across the state for tournaments. His doubles partner was from Merced and Power said he always played his best matches in the valley.
Many valley residents are familiar with the Tracy location from the drive along the 205 freeway, while traveling to the Bay Area. Dale Power opened that location in 1993, and it continues to be one of the company’s top-performing restaurants.
Grant Power said the choice of location in Modesto, down the city’s central artery and away from the just-traveling-through traffic of Highway 99, illustrates its commitment. He said they aren’t making a quick pick-up-and-go place. In fact, the Modesto restaurant won’t have a drive-thru; none of the chain’s locations do.
After construction is completed, the company plans to hire about 30 staff members. Power said they hope to be ready to open to customers in summer 2022.
“We’re going into Modesto with a 100-year mindset. I want my great-grandkids to help out with Thanksgiving pies. We want to build something the entire community can be proud of,” he said. “This restaurant will be very unique, very special. We want to make a statement that we are rooted here. We want every single person in Modesto to come in for a very tasty meal and to enjoy their time in a beautiful setting.”
For more information about Nation’s Giant Hamburgers visit www.nationsrestaurants.com.
This story was originally published June 9, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
